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  1. Tra3

    Why all the 6.5 Creedmoor Hate?

    The marketing aspect of the 6.5 CM is interesting to me. Here in MN, there are about 500,000 deer tags sold per year. The average hunter has a 30-40% chance of tagging a deer during the deer season. The average hunter would be very well served by using a 6.5 CM for deer hunting. The average...
  2. Tra3

    One cartridge to hunt dangerous game for the rest of your life and it can't be a 375, what are you going with?

    Since accuracy on the first shot is more important that energy, I’ll go with a .404 J. On an R8. I’ve taken hippos, ele and buff with an R8 in .375 (would have been my first pick). Amazingly, I’ve not yet shot a rifle bigger than a .375 (other than a .50 BMG and 20 and 12 gauge slugs). But...
  3. Tra3

    Blaser R8 Owner in USA

    The dreaded Click!! When I first started shooting the R8 I had that problem. I’ve learned to cycle the bolt with vigor and now never have that problem. It becomes an issue if you try to quietly close the bolt, that extra pressure at the end is needed. It is also a good way to check a flinch with...
  4. Tra3

    Pelican prerogatives - 1750 vs 1700 for int'l travel - experiences wanted

    Get the smaller case! I use a pelican 1700 and I can get 2 stocks, 3 barrels and 3 actions in the case. Scopes go in my carry on. The smaller case fits in a car trunk. The reduced length is definitely easier. (And about 45 lbs total weight for the case with contents) My gun case travels with...
  5. Tra3

    Hippo on land Vs. Buffalo for first Dangerous Game hunt?

    More walking for buffalo. Probably also more cost for buffalo. Hippo are significantly bigger. Finding them in the water probably won’t be difficult. Finding one on land is definitely harder. They are two different styles of hunting. Both animals deserve considerable respect. I’ve been in a...
  6. Tra3

    Travel duffle bags

    Patagonia Black Hole duffle bags. We have been using them for years. No issues in and out of Joberg multiple times. They come in different sizes. I use one as my carry on and fill it with scopes and binoculars.
  7. Tra3

    Ranking Plains Game, Ranking Dangerous Game

    X4 for tracking hunts. Eland, elephant and buffalo. @BryceM is spot on with his explanation. Hunting giraffe is really exciting because they are so tall it is difficult to hide from them. Least favorite? Sometimes a hunt is “too easy”. Like getting a huge deer on the first morning of deer...
  8. Tra3

    300 PRC

    I drank the kool aide too: after 20 years with a model 70 .270 win I upgraded to a Kimber 7 mm rem mag. Pretty similar, but heavier bullets for elk. At the SCI show i asked multiple people what to buy for a 12 year old. Most everyone said 6.5CM. Well, got one of those too! I bought two rifles...
  9. Tra3

    Any nighttime predator hunters here?

    I’ve only recently started using thermals for coyote hunting. It really extends the hunting season! Getting to hunt on a Friday night is awesome.
  10. Tra3

    So How Much Does Cartridge Commonality Matter?

    This is excellent advice. I don’t mind carrying the weight of two rifles. A backup as a .375 (if it isn't your main) Is very smart.
  11. Tra3

    300 PRC

    I’m sure a .300PRC will be great for PG. I may be wrong, but I think @Philip Glass (or his hunting mates) has some experience with that caliber. I wouldn’t hunt a buffalo with one. I’m sure it would work, but that would require many things to be ideal. Usually when hunting, you don’t have all...
  12. Tra3

    Best watch in the 1000$ range?

    I’ve been wearing a Tag Aquaracer since 2012. It has been a great watch. I only take it off for sleeping. I have been surprised by how durable it is. I think you should burn some time looking for a watch face design you like and narrow it from there. The Swiss brands in that price range will...
  13. Tra3

    So How Much Does Cartridge Commonality Matter?

    If it will ruin your hunt to not use your own rifle, then cartridge commonality matters a lot. If for some reason you can’t use your own rifle and that is ok and you can roll with it, then no problem. The reality is that missing ammo doesn’t happen that often. Edit: it is also nice to be able...
  14. Tra3

    Greatings from Minnesota, USA!

    Very nice! The polished tips of that bull are impressive!
  15. Tra3

    Rolex- the stupidest, lamest company

    I fully support the decision to buy a Rolex or similar. I wear a Tag Heuer that I bought 12 years ago when I was expanding my business (read tighter budget). I suspect a Rolex is equally as tough as a Tag, I have worn my watch for everything and am quite aware that blood will not harm it, nor...
  16. Tra3

    Greatings from Minnesota, USA!

    Welcome. I’m another Minnesotan, a land of winter… except for this year
  17. Tra3

    Age of first African hunting trip

    42. My son was 12. My dad was 73. Now I’ve completed 3 Africa hunts, 2 in England an 2 in Canada. My 4th Africa trip is in September. It was my son’s idea to hunt in Africa. It all started with a simple question: “Dad, why don’t WE go to Africa to hunt?”
  18. Tra3

    Storytelling, cigar smoking, miss'er of game...

    Thank goodness I’m not the only one who accepts being a miss’er of game. Distinctly different that the Monsieur of game, a title some profess but many doubt. Welcome! We can endeavor to be better together!
  19. Tra3

    Fitting Blaser R8 in Pelican 1700 - 2 Scoped Barrels

    Nice job! What calibers? Now, when you have time to kill, set up the configuration for 2 stocks, 3 barrels, three actions (1 lefty) and scopes in your backpack. I did that on my last hunt. .375, 9.3x62 and .270 win. The R8 setup is really cool for travel!!
  20. Tra3

    Help me complete my 3 gun collection

    6.5x55. Works great on the smaller ones. .270win, easy to find ammo. 6.5 CM. Because it is so popular now that it will be really easy to find ammo. But it isn’t any different than a 6.5x55. You will know the answer to this question when you find the right rifle.
  21. Tra3

    Storing rifles

    Wait, we are supposed to clean firearms? Muzzle up. Very little oil. My most used firearms live in a pelican case for months as they move to and from hunting locations.
  22. Tra3

    Long haul seat selection

    Aisle seat always! I try to stay hydrated on flights, which requires getting out of the seat. I also benefit from the ease of just getting up every so often to walk, touch my toes and other stretching. It helps break up the long flight.
  23. Tra3

    Gaiters...

    Check with @African Sporting Creations they have leather gaiters that zip up. I multiple pairs for me and my family members. They work great at leather is comfortable when you sweat. they have the style of gaiters that you PH will likely be wearing.
  24. Tra3

    A Funny Thing Happened on my way to Dinner…

    That is really a special piece. When will you get to use it?
  25. Tra3

    How do you sharpen your knife?

    I’m a fan of the KME knife sharpener. It is similar to the work sharp with a guide and a clamp to hold the blade. I use that for my archery broadheads and my skinning knives. When finished with leather, the edge is truly impressive. They easily shave hair. I use a 20 or 25 degree edge. If I’m...
  26. Tra3

    .270 for plains game? Should I be scrapping it?

    @wildfowler.250 that is a nice Chinese water deer in your photo! My kids and I have used a .270 Win in Africa on two trips. It worked well on PG including eland, neck shooting a giraffe, and multiple zebra. We used 130 gr barnes. I agree with the above posts, save money, use the .270 and...
  27. Tra3

    Safari Fitness Requirements in Africa? How to hunt your way to health and fitness

    I use a scale regularly. It helps to keep me honest about how much I eat. I’ve noticed that my caloric needs have decreased as I get older. Exercise is about being in shape for the person I want to be next year, not just the person I want to be today. Running works for me. I am a little more...
  28. Tra3

    Blaser Pro Success Set

    This package will work to hunt the world over. That is a very nice setup. Someone is going to be very happy with this.
  29. Tra3

    My mother turned 90 last month...

    What a blessing to have that time together. It appears she is setting a high bar for the grandchildren to live up to, both in age and activity.
  30. Tra3

    R8 safari questions

    Call cove creek. Talk with Bob or Bobby, they are great. The reality is you will pick up a few items to start. The add as you go to find the right setup. I think you’ll find good prices with scopes from cove creek too.
  31. Tra3

    NAMIBIA: 2023 Non-Trophy Bull Elephant With Karl Stumpfe / ndumo HUNTING SAFARIS

    Wow. Your shins look like you’ve been elephant hunting! I also wear shorts and just accept the appearance of legs that look like a feline sharpened its claws on you.
  32. Tra3

    R8 safari questions

    No plans to hunt Pg has the same meaning as when I was in college and we went to the bar to have 1 drink. No plans to hunt Pg translation: 1 impala sized animal, 1 kudu sized animal, any big warthog plus the DG in your original plans. This can modify depending on how many days the DG hunt...
  33. Tra3

    R8 safari questions

    @TOBY458 that will be about as much excitement as can be had! What combo of rifles/scopes are you bringing? Or will that change in the ensuing months? I’ll be with my .375 and 9.3x62 this summer again. I’m putting together a late season trip to Namibia. Last summer I brought 3 barrels. I’ll...
  34. Tra3

    R8 safari questions

    phew! Then I also can admit that I don’t like recoil! Which is why an R8 375 H&H with the ultimate stock with the recoil system works great for me. It weighs 9 lbs with a scope. I’ve practiced enough with that to shoot it well enough. No need for me to increase caliber, but I would love to test...
  35. Tra3

    R8 safari questions

    The kick stop is easy to deal with. Finding the slits in the butt pad is entertaining. I personally like the added weight of the kick stop. An R8 pro with kick stop, .375 barrel and Z8i 1-8x is a little over 10 lbs. I don’t find it too heavy for a long walk. I also like a lot less recoil than...
  36. Tra3

    Is Blaser Trying To Price Themselves Out Of The American Market???

    @Eric Nelson don’t let Bob influence you too much. Just do as he says, but get both a .243 and a .25/06… The .243 will be an excellent caliber for game in England. That is a nice rifle you have there.
  37. Tra3

    Blaser ideal Africa 2 barrel set

    What @BeeMaa said! Although I ordered it with foam and used an electric Turkey knife to cut the shapes out. A Pelican 1700 will fit two stocks, 3 barrels, and 3 actions. The scopes go in my carry on. Try not to draw on your rifle with the sharpie marker when tracing the cuts. Weight is around...
  38. Tra3

    Fill this Rifle Gap

    +1 for the 9.3x62 because you can pretty much shoot everything with one of those. You are definitely missing small and fast. I agree with many above about something in the .25 cal. But: what about a .22-250? Or a .222 rem? And once you get close to those small and fast calibers, then you...
  39. Tra3

    .223 for Steinbok, Duiker, Klipspringer?

    @318AE you are exactly correct. Reliably, remarkably, quickly effective. It is a bang-flop type of shot. The behind the last rib shot does not cause suffering as the animal expires instantly. Deer hunting does not work that way due to the size of the animal. @hoytcanon I’ll mention this...
  40. Tra3

    .223 for Steinbok, Duiker, Klipspringer?

    The reason to center-mass shoot a small antelope is the hydrostatic shock tends to anchor them. A fast bullet going through the shoulder bones of a Tiny 10 will tear it apart. While a .223 will work, I’d suggest a bigger, slower bullet. A solid is the best option. Most of the tiny 10 are shot...
  41. Tra3

    My 375,

    Congratulations! Sounds like very promising results thus far.
  42. Tra3

    Distance to sight in an optic on a 22 rifle

    Check your rifle, but a 25 yard zero will also be a 50 yard zero, depending on scope height. (Give or take a yard or two). This is crucial data for headshooting squirrels!
  43. Tra3

    Is Blaser Trying To Price Themselves Out Of The American Market???

    I’d be surprised if the number of suppressor users in the USA was 20% of the hunting population. I would guess much lower. But, it is increasing, albeit slowly. They are easy to add on to another rifle, so hunting parties will expand use. All it takes is one guy in a core hunting group to get...
  44. Tra3

    Is Blaser Trying To Price Themselves Out Of The American Market???

    Back to the tradition/environment evaluation: I think in the USA, night hunting is typically coyotes, where more than one shot is hoped for. I have night hunted in England where the goal was to get more than one shot. In Zim, I can imagine that is not the tradition! I’ve never hunted leopard...
  45. Tra3

    Range days sometimes go poorly...as in Ka Boom!

    wow! Glad you came through that Ok. Was there anyone at the range that got to see it? If so, I bet they were shocked. There might be a trace of a flinch coming on your next trigger pull…
  46. Tra3

    Distance to sight in an optic on a 22 rifle

    I’d go with 50 yards. That will give you a zero at somewhere around 20 yards and again at 50, depending on how fast the ammo is you are shooting. And get a little suppressor. You will love that setup and will shoot more because of it. The quieter report will be easier on neighbors and...
  47. Tra3

    Is Blaser Trying To Price Themselves Out Of The American Market???

    So now you have to weigh that rifle. Night shooting practically requires a suppressor. That would be a environment based scenario where suppressors are very common. In Montana, Minnesota and Idaho. the vast majority of people I come across, or see from a distance, are not using suppressors...
  48. Tra3

    Is Blaser Trying To Price Themselves Out Of The American Market???

    I concur that it has everything to do with the environment (and the tradition). Over Christmas in England we used suppressors on all variety of rifles. For a day of pheasant shooting, the rules of the hunt, spoken and unspoken, did not even contemplate a suppressed shotgun. In a place where...
  49. Tra3

    Is Blaser Trying To Price Themselves Out Of The American Market???

    I think Rex silentium is “king of silence” in latin. Edit: I just read Latin and think in Spanish and you’ll probably be pretty close.
  50. Tra3

    Is Blaser Trying To Price Themselves Out Of The American Market???

    From what I have seen, 1/2 or 1/3 of the cost of a suppressor in the USA. And no tax stamp. The USA is backwards, easy to get a gun, slow to get a suppressor. For R8 practice, a .22lr barrel kit and a little suppressor feels about like a normal rifle. Very much worth the money and wait.
 
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